With her sleek bob haircut adorned with a flower, vintage fashion sense, and customized ukulele, Janet Klein might initially appear to be a novelty act. However, her unique voice and skillful ukulele playing reveal a deep appreciation for music from the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. Describing herself as a "musical archaeologist," Klein revives obscure and charming songs from this era with authenticity and passion.

Klein's fascination with pre-World War II American popular culture was sparked by her grandparents' stories of New York in the 1930s and her father's eclectic musical tastes. Moving to Los Angeles for college in the early '80s, she developed an interest in early jazz recordings and vintage graphic design. This led her to collect sheet music and explore early female jazz musicians, ultimately inspiring her to incorporate these influences into her artistic endeavors.

By 1996, Klein had fully embraced performing vintage songs, eschewing poetry for music. Her debut album, "Come Into My Parlor," showcased her straightforward vocal style and ukulele, supported by John Reynolds' guitar and Robert Loveless' multi-instrumental talents. Klein's band, The Parlor Boys, includes notable musicians like Reynolds and members of Robert Crumb's Cheap Suit Serenaders. They continue to delight audiences with their authentic performances, recording new material and performing regularly in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Japan. Klein also engages in graphic design projects and plans to release a DVD of musical film shorts and concert footage.